Falana asks INEC to caution politicians over premature 2027 campaign, says it’s illegal

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has criticised early campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.

Falana spoke on Monday when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to caution politicians against breaching the Electoral Act, 2022.

“As far as the Electoral Act, 2022 is concerned, the ongoing election campaign is illegal, totally illegal,” he said.

“It’s also diversionary, because what Nigerians expect now, and what the law provides, is governance of the country without disruption.

“So it’s not time yet to campaign and I do hope that INEC would draw the attention of politicians, including those in government, to relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

“There is no provision yet. There is no room yet for campaigning in Nigeria.

“Two years ahead of an election, it’s not part of our law. If those in power want to amend the law, that should be done.

“The media must also help Nigerians by ensuring that when the time for campaigns comes, politicians are taken out of the cocoon of ethnicity, religion, and other primordial considerations.”

Falana said politicians must provide solutions to the problems confronting the country.

“If you say you want to replace those in power, what is your solution to the electricity crisis, the crisis in the education system, the bad roads, and other problems confronting Nigeria?” he asked.

Falana added that those in government have a greater responsibility to focus on governance and engage citizens before taking decisions.

“When is the government going to govern the country? And that is why the law has set out when election campaigns will start, when they can end. It cannot be a business of four years,” he said.

The human rights lawyer said he would not join calls for power rotation, describing them as “diversionary”.

“You insult Nigerians when you hand over the politics of the country to a few people to decide who should govern, for how many years, which side of the country or which religious group should rule,” he said.

“For goodness’ sake, can we address the problems confronting the country and embrace those who have solutions?”

He cited some sections of the constitution requiring parties to uphold state policy objectives, adding that government’s primary duty is safeguarding citizens’ security and welfare.